The weak light from a leaden sky revealed a scattering of forlorn leaves clinging to the dark, wet limbs of trees bordering a deserted playground and half-empty parking lot. Cold, misty rain and swirling winds hastened the inevitable outcome of this doomed struggle.  A typical winter's day in New York, thought, Gwen Kaplan, as she took in the scene from inside her snug bedroom. To her, it seemed beautiful. The nasty weath...

Once there was a little girl. This particular little girl was always curious. She was brimming with questions that spilled over in a constant babble of queries.  But with each answer she was provided, her curiosity grew. When she was small, her mother seemed to have all the answers. And as endless as the little girl's curiosity was so too was her mother's patience. Whenever she asked her mother a question, her mother woul...

Altering the frequency of the radio he had built himself, the noise of static could be heard once again, but turning the tuner further, he came across a voice that he was expecting, as he had been here many times before, trawling through the fm, am and medium wave frequencies to try and discover a signal, sound, or even voice, that did not come from this world. The voice he heard now was that of a taxi firm, telling one o...

He had a weakness. One which he guessed may be quite embarrassing should his workmates discover it. However, he was not ashamed of it, because he saw no reason to be. It was perhaps quite a contraction in regards to who he was and to his profession that he should indulge himself in such fantasies, and fantasy, was exactly what it was. Bill Simmons was 36, worked on a building site, and lived a bachelor life in a bedsit. H...

Sounds. Voices. Tingling. “I saw a twitch …” “… His eyelids are fluttering …” “How are we doing today Mr. Stavros? You gave us quite a scare, didn’t he Mrs. Stavros?” The young woman addressing him was dressed in a pale blue pajama holding a clipboard with pen poised to note something indicative. Off to the left side of his visual space was an older woman who seemed to stare intently at him. The younger woman was more att...

There was not much of interest in the market. It seemed to be simply people trying to get rid of their unwanted attic junk. Yet buyers picked up and examined rusted cutlery, books that had been soaked in water, videos and cassettes so ingrained with filth that it would be rather brainless to put them anywhere near a machine. General tat and junk that belonged on a waste tip, not still with a price on. So when Gerard Lawso...

Brushing plants aside, Vera walked into the jungle. Away from the fire, the last lick of the sun made her skin glisten with sweat. She walked hunched in search for food as her mind traveled elsewhere.The first time she saw Kaiya was two earth years ago. Kaiya was strolling up and down aisles in the grocery store, food overflowing in her hands."She's supposed to help the Absolute War?" Vera thought to herself, her chin res...

Dead trees over encumbered with snow surrounded the frozen lake. He loomed over her. His black cellular robes covered his face as if he didn't have one.She stared blankly into his gaping hole."Accompany me" he hissed as he extended a claw.Lifting her hand to his, she walked alongside him. Her first step on the ice, she could swear she could almost feel a chill creep up her spine.Before she could dwell on this, he grasped...

My name is Smith, That’s Smith N. Wesson. I’m a licensed P I, And I carry a big ass gun. This case started on a Tuesday, When she walked into my life. The dame dressed in red, Probably some rich sap's wife. I asked her the usual questions, “OK sister; What’s the Caper?” She tossed a bundle on my desk, It was a first edition newspaper. I turned it around, And there circled in red, Was a story on a missing scientist. It rea...

Nobody ever loved me more than I loved myself when I was still addicted to Adderall. Even now I hesitate to say the word “addiction” – part of me, I think, still believes I can control it. That I’m not just another statistic. One-third of college students will try study drugs, but it was so much more than an easy A for me. It was a lifestyle. I don’t remember how I got into it, the same way I don’t remember how I started...

Gently, I awake to the whistle of the wind. I let out a quick sigh as I lift one eyelid, then immediately close it with neglect for time. For a brief moment, my head is silent, but the next my mind is inundated with emotions and obligations and you. I pull the covers over my head, as if this simple cloak will shield my psyche from unpleasant thoughts. But alas, the unpleasantness cycles on repeat. Anger, frustration, barg...

I sit alone on the hilltop in the lush green grass. I always come here when I need to think. Looking out, I see the vast valley dotted with homes nestled in among fields of corn and wheat. The golden crops sway in the wind. Not far from my perch, the trail snakes up from a near dirt road below. The quiet lulls me into a calm state. I feel the sun warm my face, and the wind tousles my honey brown hair. I can feel the peace...

Sleep tonight little oneBelow stars that twinkleSun has gone to bedDream of today's funLike Rip Van Winkle Moon is showing his headNight's here day's doneLet Mr. Sandman sprinkleA little sand don't dreadMorn will bring bright sunA breakfast that will tickleWhen you rise from your bed I'll tell you a tale my Grandpa spunDon't wrinkle your nose and be fickle I can remember every word he said It's about the moon at play with...

Chapter ThirteenChicken SoupWhen they arrived back on the farm, Ed carried Billy from the Jeep into the farm house in his arms, as Kaye held the kitchen door for him. Dodger and Benny were barking long before they had come through the door, they both stopped barking and started hopping up to have a better look at what Ed had in his arms. Benny began to growl then Dodger joined in.“Get down you two!” Ed snapped. The dogs b...

I wish this world were real. I wish it wasn't just in a book.Why do you wish that?So I could go there. I'm tired of being stuck in reality.Don't you feel safe here?Of course I do. I think that's the problem.Ah. The thirst for adventure.Exactly.Well then. Let's get started.